Lake trip · Cass County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Gull Lake
Gull Lake covers 10,010 acres in Cass County, with water clarity of about 15 ft. Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The water-quality readings cover nutrients and algae; they are not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 21 to Dec 1, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near Gull Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Gull Lake in Cass County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Gull Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Gull Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. Water clarity is about 15 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 3 µg/L. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim. The readings are not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 21 to Dec 1, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
About Gull Lake
Fish: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, burbot, common carp, green sunfish.
Fishing & license
When to fish Gull Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near Gull Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Gull Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Crow Wing State Park · State Park11.8 mi
- Sagamore Unit · State Park14.2 mi
- Mahnomen Unit · State Park16.8 mi
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area · State Recreation Area18.1 mi
Hard-water season on Gull Lake
Plan an ice-fishing trip around lodging at Gull Lake. See best ice fishing lakes in Minnesota and ice fishing in Minnesota for species and access filters. LakeQuality does not measure ice thickness: use local ice reports and DNR guidance. Clarity, phosphorus and algae readings, where a lake has them, are planning proof for the water, not a swim or ice-safety clearance.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Gull Lake in Cass County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Crow Wing State Park is about 11.8 miles away for campground options.
Gull Lake has nutrient and algae measurements on record from state and federal monitoring. A water-quality reading is not a swimming clearance. The state water agency and county health departments post current advisories; check them before you swim.
Open water runs roughly Apr 21 to Dec 1, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Gull Lake
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LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Gull Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality readings are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.